Giants.com highlights five things we learned at Monday's OTA practice

1. With the today’s workout moved inside the fieldhouse at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center due to rain, the defense had a strong showing in the Giants’ seventh practice of organized team activities. There were no interceptions, but whether it was a tipped pass at the line or a quality breakup in coverage, the blue jerseys on the defensive side of the ball owned the day.

However, that’s not to say the offense didn’t make any plays. A few that stood out were Ryan Nassib’s touchdown pass to Julian Talley in the corner of the end zone from inside the five-yard line and two tough catches made by Rueben Randle, including a sideline grab from Eli Manning during the two-minute drill.

2. The coaches continued to take a good look at running back Kendall Gaskins. The first-year pro out of Richmond again received a good amount of touches in practice, while fellow backs like Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams saw a lot of action catching passes out of the backfield.

3. Wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan, who missed time because of a death in the family, returned to OTAs today. The fourth-year pro worked with the offense in addition to taking reps as a punt returner.4. Perhaps in the spirit of the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, kicker Josh Brown manned a new special teams drill which required him to bounce a miniature soccer ball at the goal line. After it shot up in the air, another player would have to tip it back before it went into the end zone to mimic downing a punt. If that wasn’t difficult enough, he would have to first catch a punt in the air before sliding over to Brown in one motion.

5. Former Giants champions Deon Grant and Brandon Jacobs took in today’s practice from the sidelines. Grant played safety for Big Blue in 2010 and 2011, providing veteran leadership in their Super Bowl XLVI victory. Jacobs won two titles with the Giants and retired after last season as the franchise’s leader in rushing touchdowns.